President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met on Tuesday with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on the sidelines of the Africa–France Summit, held in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.
During the meeting, President Sisi voiced Egypt’s appreciation for Guterres’ leadership of the United Nations system over recent years amid highly complex international circumstances and multiple global crises, Presidency Spokesman Mohamed El-Shennawy said.
The president also praised the ongoing co-operation between Egypt and the United Nations, both with regard to regional crises and conflicts and within the framework of the UN Co-operation Framework with Egypt 2023–2027, which supports the country’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the spokesman added.
For his part, Guterres expressed deep appreciation for the co-operation demonstrated by Egypt since he assumed office, commending President Sisi’s diplomatic efforts to strengthen security and stability in the Middle East and Africa. He described Egypt’s role as a cornerstone of regional stabilisation efforts.
The meeting also addressed current regional developments, with the Iranian crisis on top, El-Shennawy added.
The discussions reflected a convergence of views between the President and the Secretary-General regarding the gravity of the current state of uncertainty and its negative repercussions on the region and the wider world,the spokesman noted.
The UN chief stressed support for efforts that aim at reaching peaceful settlements to conflicts in a manner that preserves the sovereignty of states and the resources of their peoples.
In this context, President Sisi reviewed Egypt’s efforts to restore regional security and stability in coordination with key international and regional parties. He also underlined full support for the sisterly Gulf states and expressed Egypt’s rejection of any violations of their sovereignty and security.
The president also underlined the pivotal role played by UN agencies in providing and delivering humanitarian assistance, whether in Sudan or Gaza.
The Secretary-General referred to the major challenges facing the work of UN agencies, particularly financial pressures. In this respect, he commended Egypt’s leading role in alleviating the humanitarian suffering caused by conflicts and crises, especially in Sudan and the Gaza Strip.
